PunchDrunkGamer posted: "Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty ImagesBringing you the weird and wild from the world of MMA each and every weeknight! Welcome to Midnight Mania! Nate Diaz vs. Conor McGregor 3 is going to happen. It probably doesn't matter all tha"
Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Bringing you the weird and wild from the world of MMA each and every weeknight!
Welcome to Midnight Mania!
Nate Diaz vs. Conor McGregor 3 is going to happen. It probably doesn't matter all that much if it happens in six months or six years — the trilogy is unsettled, and those two can disappear for years at a time without losing their loyal followings. Oh, and the occasional social media beef goes a long way in keeping people interested.
Tonight's is a doozy. Typically, an exchange between the two online is a few short characters, a quick shot across the bow that the other is a loser. This time, however, McGregor and Diaz engaged in a lengthy debate, the majority of which can be read below (organized as chronologically as possible given the scattered nature of their Tweets and replies).
Bruh u can't walk or fight right now why u talkin shit?
This exchange lead to a direct debate between the rivals.
He fled the cage and I boxed his whole family around. And nobody finished me mate. I broke MY leg. No one or nothing else done anything to me. And anyway. Don't worry bout them. I'm here in Cali months doing what I want. It's 3 on the street now mate fuck your little sport.
After this exchange, the two broke apart to subtweet the other, choosing to essentially give uninterrupted slide shows about their respective dominance over one another. Let's first look to Stockton's native son:
Nah bitch u should've learned how to not break ur leg when I checked ur shit and u crutched outta the fight with me And how u gonna fight me when u can't run for your life this time wit ur broken ass you lost the last fight and ran for the hills just like kabob ur a pussy too
I ended this guys career lol what happened to him get him back here u need some help and why u just throw ur friends away shithead pic.twitter.com/wepc2qc7ph
In the midst of all the chaos, Dustin Poirier caught a stray shot. Far strange, however, is that Diaz maybe accepted the callout from Vicente Luque? Diaz's train of thought is rarely the easiest to follow, but he seems down to fight the streaking finisher.
A bit over one week into awkwardly plugging myself, and I'd like to send a major thanks to the 54 (at this time of writing) people who have supported the cause. Glad to have you on the team, and there's still room on board!
As with all my pro fights, I raise funds to cover camp costs/actually make a profit via the fight banner. $5 or more gets your name/screen name/nickname on the fight banner, and it enters you into a raffle to win the banner itself. Payment options include venmo: AndyLRichardson (1572), PayPal, or the latest GoFundMe page. Complete details are HERE!
And, for those that don't care for my fight career and its associated e-begging, all the coming Midnight Manias will have the same amount of content as usual. Simply skip this section each night and it's like nothing happened!
I'm not shocked to see Darren Stewart go after his loss to Dustin Jacoby, but I always enjoyed his fights. If the judges go his way in ultra close bouts vs. Kevin Holland or Edmen Shahbazyan, perhaps things would be different! MMA crazy.
Darren Stewart has been removed from the UFC rankings pool.
MMAmania fun fact: recently crowned Ultimate Fighter (TUF) champion Ricky Turcios acted as the cameraman for the MMAmania Facebook live stream of my second pro fight!
Midnight Music: Glen Campbell's cover of "Southern Nights" hit No. 1 on the charts and is a classic piece of '70s pop, but Allen Toussaint's original recording is wildly different and quite interesting.
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.
PunchDrunkGamer posted: "Photo by Chris Unger/DWCS LLC/Zuffa LLCThe world's "toughest job interview" continues this evening as eight fighters "vie to fulfill their dreams of earning a UFC contract." It's that time of year again. Dana White&rsqu"
The world's "toughest job interview" continues this evening as eight fighters "vie to fulfill their dreams of earning a UFC contract."
It's that time of year again.
Dana White's "Contender Series" returns to the ESPN+ airwaves tonight (Tues., Aug. 31, 2021) for a fifth season, starting with a largely international cast of Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) hopefuls.
The Light Heavyweight main event pits undefeated Brave CF champion Azamat Murzakanov (9-0) against Brazil's Matheus Scheffel (14-6), who claimed Future FC gold in his most recent effort. Down at Featherweight, Diego Lopes (19-3) steps up on short notice to put his seven-fight winning streak on the line against Joanderson Brito (11-2-1). LFA Flyweight champ Victor Altamirano (9-1) will be also in action against late replacement Carlos Candelario (8-0), while Mississippi's A.J. Fletcher (8-0) faces Italy's Leonardo Damiani (10-2-1)
The event previously saw Lukasz Brzeski meet Dylan Potter in the opener, but the bout got rescheduled over the weekend.
'Contender Series' Quick Results:
Azamat Murzakanov vs. Matheus Scheffel — Murzakanov def. Scheffel by TKO (punches) at 3:00 of Round One Diego Lopes vs. Joanderson Brito — Brito def. Lopes by unanimous decision (29-28 x3) Victor Altamirano vs. Carlos Candelario — Altamirano def. Candelario by split decision (29-28 x2, 28-29) A.J. Fletcher vs. Leonardo Damiani — Fletcher def. Damiani by KO (flying knee) at 2:24 of Round One
'Contender Series' Play-By-Play Results:
205 lbs.: Azamat Murzakanov vs. Matheus Scheffel
Round one: Scheffel nearly catches Murzakanov leaning with a knee. Lead left from the Russian. One minute in. Scheffel tries a head kick. Murzakanov overhand left just misses. Counter body kick from Scheffel, eats one in return. Overhand left connects for Murzakanov. Scheffel low kick. Murzakanov explodes in with a two-piece, then just demolishes Scheffel with a brutal right hook. Scheffel wakes up just in time for Murzakanov to batter him back into semi-consciousness.
Final result: Murzakanov def. Scheffel by TKO (punches)
145 lbs.: Diego Lopes vs. Joanderson Brito
Round one: Brito scores a takedown on the fence within about 10 seconds. Lopez trying to get something going off of his back. One minute in. Now some hard punches from Brito. Two minutes in. Lopes turns for an armbar. Brito stacking him. Lopes trying to break the grip. Two minutes to go.
Lopes warned for putting his feet in the cage. He tries to extend, but Brito pulls his arm out and drops a hard right hand. Brito avoids an omoplata, lands another right, then lets him up. Lopes cracks him with a pair of right hands. Jabs from Brito, body shot. One minute to go. Hard low kicks from Brito as they trade jabs. Monster left hook as well. Continuing to trade heat. Clean left hook from Brito as he marches forward into the clinch. They trade on the break. 10-9 Brito.
Round two: Stiff jab from Brito to start. Warned for sticking his fingers out, immediately does it again and gets a hard warning. Both swing big when they resume. Hard 3-2 by Lopes, who wraps up a guillotine as Brito shoots in. Impressive defense by Brito to slip out. On top in guard. Huge elbow that Lopes somehow absorbs. Heavy postured punches by Brito. Lopes rolls for a leg, then transitions to the front headlock. He rolls on an anaconda choke, loses it, gets taken down again. Two minutes to go.
Another heavy ground shot by Brito. Lopes briefly considers a straight armbar. He's active off of his back but Brito's sneaking in some hard shots. One minute to go. Kneebar attempt from Lopes. Brito poses to show he's not in danger. 10-9 Brito.
Round three: Lopes takes a finger in the eye right as the round starts and looks like he's in real pain. He wants to continue, but he can't see. The ref takes a point from Brito and we go to the scorecards; that'd be 10-9 Lopes, then. I don't like 10-10s but there's really no way around this one.
Final result: Brito def. Lopes by unanimous decision
125 lbs.: Victor Altamirano vs. Carlos Candelario
Round one: Altamirano tries an early wheel kick, trading inside at center cage. Candelario firing head kicks, then goes form a slick single-leg to a double-leg. On top in half guard against the fence. He postures up for some heavy punches a minute in. Altamirano threatens a leglock, then sweeps back to the feet. They separate. Low kick from Altamirano. Left hand upstairs. Candelario tries a 1-2, lands a knee to the body. Altamirano to the body. Two minutes in. 1-2s by Candelario fall just short. Leg kick exchange. Another single-leg by Candelario into half guard. Altamirano again threatens a leglock, then gets to his knees and stands after getting a bit of space. Body kick and 1-2 by Candelario. Good body kick and right hook. Candelario answers another kick with a counter left and takes him down into guard, avoiding a guillotine with two minutes to go.
Solid punches from Candelario. Good elbow with a minute to go. Altamirano throwing off of his back. Candelario continues to work until the bell. 10-9 Candelario.
Round two: Counter lefts landing for Candelario. Altamirano goes to the body. They trade body kicks. Candelario 1-2, Altamirano knees inside. Candelario tries a double-leg, stuffed a minute in. Long straight left connects. Another unsuccessful level change. Altamirano lands well on the break. Left to the body. Candelario cracks him with a straight left and shoots a double. It takes some effort, but he completes it into guard two minutes in. Trading strikes on the ground. Altamirano hunting for armbars, stymied by the fence. Two minutes to go.
Altamirano scrambles to his feet and they separate. Overhand left lands for him, low kick behind it. Candelario fires a knee downstairs. Counter left. One minute to go. Altamirano shoots behind a leg kick and puts him on the fence. He tries a head kick on the break. Candelario shoots, denied. He's looking like he's wearing down and Altamirano hits a throw before the bell 10-9 Candelario on the early efforts.
Round three: Altamirano stuffs an early shot. Landing well in the center. Candelario to the body, takes a combo in return. Swatting left a minute in. Good left hand from Altamirano. He hauls Candelario to the fence. Good left hands to the body when they resume. Sneaky uppercut, jab, low kick. Again Altamirano goes to the body. Two minutes in. Punching exchange, still favoring Altamirano. Hard teep, walks into a counter left. Front kick attempt, knee to the body. More good body work into the clinch. Two minutes to go.
Altamirano continuing to press forward, trips Candelario down and jumps on his back. The angle's not good and Candelario escapes to the feet. He shoots, denied. Altamirano puts him on the fence, lands good elbows with a minute to go. They separate/ There's a successful single-leg from Candelario, who jumps on a guillotine as Altamirano scrambles up. 10-9 Altamirano; think Candelario's got this but the second was close.
Final result: Altamirano def. Candelario by split decision
170 lbs.: A.J. Fletcher vs. Leonardo Damiani
Round one: Early counter hook from Damiani, who eats a low kick in return. Counter right this time, again a low kick in return. Fletcher sneaks in a right cross. Damiani's really not liking the low kicks. He marches in with haymakers and gets taken down near the fence a minute in. Fletcher lands a knee on the way up. They separate. Damiani low kick, stuffs a takedown two minutes in. He tries a head kick, eats a leg kick. Fletcher tries a spinning back kick, then annihilates the Italian with a flying knee against the fence.
Final result: Fletcher def. Damiani by KO (flying knee)
For more "Contender Series" news and notes, be sure to hit up our comprehensive archive right here.
PunchDrunkGamer posted: "Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty ImagesUltimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is bringing more "Prelims" fights to ESPN+ this weekend (Sat., Sept. 4, 2021) when UFC Vegas 36: "Brunson vs. Till" returns to UFC "
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is bringing more "Prelims" fights to ESPN+ this weekend (Sat., Sept. 4, 2021) when UFC Vegas 36: "Brunson vs. Till" returns to UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada. MMAmania.com's Patrick Stumberg continues the UFC Vegas 36 "Prelims" party with the second (and final) installment of a two-part undercard preview series below.
Two weeks after Jared Cannonier secured his place among the Middleweight elite with a decision over Kelvin Gastelum, two more top-ranked 185-pound contenders will look to stake their claims this Saturday (Sept. 4, 2021) when Derek Brunson (No. 5) meets Darren Till (No. 7) on ESPN+. In addition, blue-chip Heavyweight Tom Aspinall will try and keep his unbeaten UFC record intact against dangerous wrestler Serghei Spivac and Khalil Rountree will face Modestas Bukauskas in a clash of skilled, but struggling, Light Heavyweights.
We've got just two UFC Vegas 36 "Prelims" undercard bouts that need to be dissected (check out the first batch here), so let's dig in ...
125 lbs.: Molly McCann vs. Ji Yeon Kim
Molly McMcann (10-4) put a UFC debut loss behind her with a three-fight win streak, among them a decent-sized upset of Brazilian knockout artist Ariane Lipski. "Meatball" now finds herself in the midst of an 0-2 skid, having dropped decisions to fast-rising prospects Taila Santos and Lara Procopio.
She's scored four knockouts as a professional.
Korea's Ji Yeon Kim (9-3-2) battled her way to a 3-2 Octagon start with two decision victories and a brutal beatdown of Nadia Kassem. Then came Alexa Grasso, who out-boxed "Firefist" en route to a decision win of her own.
She'll have three inches of height and a massive 10 inches of reach on McCann.
Odds-wise, this is the closest fight on the entire card, and it definitely looks like a split decision in the making. McCann has the better footwork and more varied arsenal, while Kim boasts a considerable edge in size and firepower.
In short, all signs point to a tit-for-tat striking battle that will come down to the wire.
I've got McCann by a hair. Kim's got the leakier striking defense of the two, and while McCann's apparent wrestling improvement turned out to be a case of limited opposition, Kim's inconsistent takedown defense looks like a tempting target. "Firefist" will touch up McCann, but key takedowns should barely nudge McCann over the finish line.
Prediction: McMann via split decision
135 lbs.: Jack Shore vs. Liudvik Sholinian
Jack Shore (14-0) — the former Cage Warriors Bantamweight champion — kept his momentum going with two dominant submission wins in the Octagon. Then came "Contender Series" veteran Hunter Azure, who fell short against the Welshman this past April, but managed to break his five-fight finishing streak in the process.
"Tank" has submitted eight professional foes and knocked out another four.
Liudvik Sholinian (9-2-1) — representing Team Ortega on The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 29 — authored one of the show's bigger upsets by beating first-overall-pick Mitch Raposo in the quarterfinals. The Cinderella story wasn't to last, as Ricky Turcios managed to out-last the Ukrainian in a terrific battle.
He steps in for Zvaid Lazishvili, who himself replaced Said Nurmagomedov, on less than two weeks' notice.
I wish nothing but the best for Sholinian. He showed inspiring grit in beating Raposo and it absolutely broke my heart to see him break down in tears after his loss to Turcios. I hope stepping up like this earns him enough brownie points to stay on the roster after this defeat.
I don't at all mean to imply that Sholinian is a bad fighter, just that Shore is an elite prospect who's ready for the likes of Nurmagomedov. At the risk of being reductive, Shore's better everywhere. He's the better boxer by a huge margin, the better wrestler, and the better submission artist. As we saw against Azure, determination, pressure and takedowns aren't enough to beat the Welshman. In the end, he steadily out-classes Sholinian before wrapping up his neck in the final stretch.
Prediction: Shore via third-round submission
There may not be much left of UFC Vegas 36, but at least we've still got a solid main event and some quality prospects in action. See you Saturday, Maniacs.
Remember that MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC Vegas 36 fight card right here, starting with the ESPN+"Prelims" matches, which are scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. ET, then the remaining main card balance on ESPN+at 4 p.m. ET.
To check out the latest and greatest UFC Vegas 36: "Brunson vs. Till" news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here.
Current UFC "Prelims" Prediction Record for 2021: 121-62-1 (2 NC)
PunchDrunkGamer posted: "Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty ImagesFormer WWE champion CM Punk officially retires from UFC and the sport of MMA ahead of his debut at AEW: All Out. CM Punk is officially a retired mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter and Ultimate Fightin"
Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Former WWE champion CM Punk officially retires from UFC and the sport of MMA ahead of his debut at AEW: All Out.
CM Punk is officially a retired mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter and Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) alum.
Punk made a thunderous return to the world of professional wrestling (watch highlights) as a debutant in All Elite Wrestling (AEW). It marks his first time signing with a pro wrestling organization since his messy divorce from WWE in 2014. With his full-time AEW signing now comes the news that Punk, 42, has officially retired from MMA.
UFC officials confirmed Punk's retirement to MMA Fighting on Tuesday. Punk fought twice in MMA, both times under the UFC banner. He lost his debut via first-round rear-naked choke submission to Mickey Gall at UFC 203 on Sept. 10, 2016. He subsequently fought Mike Jackson at UFC 225 on June 9, 2018, losing a unanimous decision. The Jackson fight was later overturned to a no-contest after Jackson tested positive for marijuana.
Despite not having fought since 2018, Punk (0-1, 1 NC) remained a part of the UFC's anti-doping program through 2020. He was tested six times in 2020 by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA).
Punk remains an MMA enthusiast and is expected to continue his commentary role with East coast-based promotion Cage Fury Fighting Championships (CFFC) which airs on UFC Fight Pass. The former three-time WWE World Heavyweight champion, two-time WWE champion and one-time Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) champion will wrestle Darby Allin at AEW's marquee All Out pay-per-view (PPV), taking place inside the Now Aren in Hoffman Estates, Illinois on Sun., Sept. 5.
Finished reading this story? The party doesn't have to stop. Click here to get more of the latest UFC news.
PunchDrunkGamer posted: "Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images"The Diamond" is now eyeing a fight with UFC Lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira. Dustin Poirier (28-6-0-1) just laid unofficial claim to Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) supremac"
Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
"The Diamond" is now eyeing a fight with UFC Lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira.
Dustin Poirier (28-6-0-1) just laid unofficial claim to Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) supremacy in the championship shadow of Charles Oliveira (31-8-0-1).
Poirier is next in line to challenge the reigning 155-pound kingpin for the gold strap ... if he wants it, of course. "The Diamond" is a former UFC interim Lightweight champion and it appears he has already visualized himself as the undisputed (and uncrowned) king of the division after successfully chasing two monster Conor McGregor paydays.
"Undisputed world champion," Poirier tweeted on Tuesday.
Poirier (No. 1) has won seven of his last eight fights, most recently defeating the aforementioned McGregor in consecutive fights at UFC 264 (watch highlights) and UFC 257 (watch highlights). His career hit list also includes former UFC Featherweight champion Max Holloway (twice), former UFC Lightweight champions Eddie Alvarez and Anthony Pettis, former UFC interim Lightweight champion Justin Gaethje, Dan Hooker, Jim Miller and many more.
His only loss dating back to 2016 is to arguably the greatest Lightweight of all time, Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Oliveira, 31, is in the best form of his UFC career on a nine-fight win streak, punctuated by a second-round technical knockout over Michael Chandler (watch here) to capture the UFC Lightweight crown at UFC 262 back in May. His current stretch includes wins over Tony Ferguson, Kevin Lee, Miller and Clay Guida.
Finished reading this story? The party doesn't have to stop. Click here to get more of the latest UFC news.
145 lbs.: Damon Jackson vs. Charles Rosa 265 lbs.: Alexandr Romanov vs. Jared Vanderaa 115 lbs.: Lupita Godinez vs. Sam Hughes 185 lbs.: Jamie Pickett vs. Laureano Staropoli 185 lbs.: Phil Hawes vs. Deron Winn 125 lbs.: Tim Elliott vs. Matheus Nicolau 135 lbs.: Felipe Colares vs. Chris Gutierrez 125 lbs.: Mariya Agapova vs. Sabina Mazo 155 lbs.: Steve Garcia vs. Charlie Ontiveros 145 lbs.: Chas Skelly vs. Mike Trizano
*Fight card, bout order and number of fights remain subject to change due to COVID-19.*
To check out the latest and greatest UFC Vegas 39 news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archives here. For more upcoming UFC events click here.
